What Does Donovan Solano Mean for the Twins

[Fred]

22 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Absolutely right, except I think the trade involves Kepler, not Polanco. I think it would be hard to get value for Polanco until he shows that the knee is not an issue.  

I actually think this acquisition makes a lot of sense. Solano's best positions are 2B and 1B, which happen to be the positions where we have an established player with injury concerns (Polanco) and an unestablished player with injury concerns (Kirilloff). If either can't start the season, Solano takes their spot. If the FO decides it would be better for Kirilloff to start in AAA to get his stroke back, Solano takes his spot. If an IF gets hurt in ST, Solano takes their spot. Good guy to have.  

Two things about the young players. There is no young MiLB 2B in the system ready to step in as a starter. Lee, Julien and Martin haven't even played a lot at AAA yet for goodness sakes. There was a time when the Twins would throw a guy like those 3 out there and hope. Those were also the times when we had no real shot at contending and/or no other options. We aren't that team any more. We intend to contend for at least a division title/playoff spot in each of the next 6 years that Correa and Buxton are together. Teams that want to do that don't throw AA players out here and hope; they get vets like Solano to fill in as injury insurance. Solano is 35. He's here for a year at most and he isn't blocking anybody.  In the unlikely event that we have no injuries and Polanco and Kirilloff are healthy and productive, the only player effected is Lewis and that isn't until probably mid-July or August. Chances are that injuries and ineffectiveness will open up a spot for him and probably at least 1 of the other 3 this year. I think this move is smart and it tells me and the current roster that the Twins think they have a contending team. You're going to have to earn your spot with production on the field. 

Second, the player impacted is Larnach. Unless there is a trade, Buxton, Gallo, Kepler, Taylor and Gordon are the 5 OFs on the 26 man roster.  Why? Because they've earned it with their performance on the field. Creating a spot for Larnach requires a trade or Kirilloff not being ready and Kepler or Gallo moving to 1B. There isn't any need to artificially create a spot for him. He hasn't earned it yet, admittedly due to injury, so he goes to AAA if nothing changes. Again, he'll get his shot. Somebody will get hurt or not hit and he's first one up. 

This is a smart move for a team that wants to/thinks they can contend. If we learn by mid-season that we can't, then we can trade guys like Solano. Farmer and Taylor (or maybe even Polanco and Kepler) to teams that can compete and let guys like Larnach, Lewis, Lee, Martin, Julien, etc. get some MLB experience.  No need to artificially create that opportunity now. 

I like your thinking, but, as far as a trade, couldn't it be a package of both?

Edited February 23, 2023 by Fred

[jkcarew]

“Solano did boast a .309/.380/.568 slash line against southpaws last year”

No he didn’t. Try .301/.348/.422 (.770 OPS)…career .711 OPS against lefties. There’s no way this guy was brought on to be insurance at 1B or DH.

For context, both Christian Vazquez and Ryan Jeffers have better 2022 and career numbers against lefties than does Solano. “Donny Bats” has to be something his agent came up with. I just have a hard time believing this is the guy you sign if your objective is to ‘bolster’ the lineup against southpaws.

I only understand it in the context of Polanco isn’t right, Gordon is being traded and/or Lewis’s 2023 is at serious risk.

[ashbury]

The comparison offered between Arraez and Solano would embarrass both ballplayers if they were made aware.